James Harrison
James learned guitar in a cold Leeds practice room and taught himself to fix his own gear when he couldn't afford to replace it. That DIY instinct became a lifelong obsession with how instruments are built and why some just feel right. He writes buying guides and gear features for players who want the honest version, not the sales pitch.
Articles by James Harrison
Lock Nut Guitar: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing the right lock nut means understanding what separates quality hardware from the disposable stuff. This buying guide walks you through specifications, compatibility, brand reputation, and pric...
The Complete Guide to Names Of Drum Sets
Understanding the various names of drum sets—from drum kits to electronic e-kits—helps musicians communicate confidently about percussion equipment across different regions and genres.
The Complete Guide to Boss Chorus Guitar Pedal
The Boss chorus guitar pedal is the industry standard chorus effect, beloved by professionals worldwide for its warm, musical tone and legendary reliability. From the iconic CH-1 to modern models, Bos...
The Complete Guide to Behringer Swing
The Behringer Swing brings authentic analog synthesis at budget-friendly prices, making it ideal for producers and musicians exploring synth sound design.
The Complete Guide to French Horn Brass
The French horn is one of the most distinctive brass instruments in the orchestra, renowned for its warm, mellow tone and remarkable versatility. Discover what makes it special and how to learn.
The Complete Guide to Korg Keyboard Synthesizer
Korg keyboard synthesizers deliver hands-on sound design, warmth, and intuitive control. Discover models from budget-friendly Volca to professional performance instruments.
Tc Electronic: A Complete Buyer's Guide
There are enough variables in the TC Electronic range to trip you up. This plain-spoken guide tells you what actually matters before you buy.
Childs Electric Drum Kit: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Forget the age label on the box. Here's the honest checklist for choosing an electronic drum kit that will actually get played, pedals and all.
Common Ernie Ball Strings Mistakes to Avoid
Most string problems blamed on 'a bad set' are actually something the player did. Here are the mistakes to watch for, and how to fix each one.
Marshall Mg 30 Fx: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The Marshall MG 30 FX makes a strong case as a self-contained practice and rehearsal amp — here is what you need to know before you buy.
Common Epiphone J 200 Mistakes to Avoid
Most problems with this guitar have nothing to do with the guitar itself. Here are the buying and care mistakes worth avoiding entirely.
The Complete Guide to Fender Telecaster Frets
Fender Telecaster frets are engineered for durability and precise playability. Understanding maintenance, wear and repair options keeps your guitar sounding and playing beautifully.
Mini Guitar Amp: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a mini guitar amp? Test the tone at real volume, understand what wattage actually means, and verify app control and recording features work as advertised.
Common Ten Gauge Guitar Strings Mistakes to Avoid
From skipping setup adjustments to letting strings go dead unnoticed, the most common ten gauge guitar strings mistakes are easy to avoid once you know what to look for.
Piccolo Snare: A Complete Guide
A piccolo snare drum is a specialised percussion instrument producing bright, cutting tones distinct from standard snare drums, valued in orchestras and studios.
Speaker Stands: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Speaker stands are the unglamorous foundation of every PA rig. Here's the honest breakdown of what separates a reliable pair from a liability.
A Guide to Amp Stands
An amp stand raises and tilts a guitar amplifier to project sound toward the player rather than into the floor. This guide explains the types, what they do and when they help.
Everything You Need to Know About Dw Drum Kit
DW has held the top of the drum market for decades. Here is everything you need to know about who makes them, what makes them different, and whether the investment is justified.
Upright Electric Bass: A Complete Buyer's Guide
More variables than most instrument purchases: fretted or fretless, pickup type, body design, scale length. Working through these in order gets you to the right instrument faster.
The Ultimate Guide to Line Arrays
A line array is the default choice for live sound at scale. This guide explains the physics, the history, and the practical decisions around choosing and using one.
Pa System Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A PA system takes audio sources and delivers them to an audience at volume. This guide covers the components, types and key specifications, with advice on choosing the right setup for your needs.
The Best 12 String Guitars for the Money
The best 12 string guitar depends on your budget and how you play. Here's how to match the instrument to your needs, from budget options to premium handcrafted models.
Common Eq Pedal Mistakes to Avoid
EQ is one of those effects that works best when you understand the errors as clearly as the techniques. Here is what most players get wrong and how to avoid it.
What James Harrison covers
Acoustic Guitar
An acoustic guitar is a versatile steel-string instrument for strumming, fingerstyle, songwriting and live performance.
23 topics
Electric Guitar
A versatile amplified instrument for rhythm, lead and genre-spanning performance, from clean tones to high-gain sounds.
27 topics
Fender Stratocaster
The fender stratocaster is a versatile electric guitar known for bright tones, comfort and wide genre appeal.
8 topics
Guitar Guitar
Guitar guitar is a broad category for instruments and accessories suited to players at every level and style.
Guitar Tuners
Reliable tuning hardware for acoustic, electric and bass guitars, with options for upgrades, replacements and classic re...
1 topic
Music Accessories
Essential music accessories for UK musicians: instrument cases, stands, cables, straps, tuners, metronomes, and instrume...
75 topics
Sheet Music & Learning
Your guide to sheet music, scores, music theory books, and graded exam resources for UK musicians — from beginner method...
54 topics
Stratocaster
Iconic double-cut electric guitars with versatile tones, comfortable contours and wide appeal across many genres.
21 topicsPopular topics
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Index- Guitars 1,525
- Pianos & Keyboards 491
- Drums & Percussion 278
- Orchestral Strings 76
- Wind & Woodwind 97
- Brass Instruments 70
- Folk & World Instruments 108
- Studio Recording 484
- Music Software & DAWs 250
- DJ & Electronic Production 199
- Live Sound & PA 143
- Music Accessories 165
- Sheet Music & Learning 63
- Music Genres 285
- Music News & Industry 246
- Hi-Fi & Home Audio 64
- Artists & Bands 39